ANXIETY ISN’T JUST “WORRYING TOO MUCH”
“Just stop worrying.”
“Calm down.”
“Don’t think about it.”
If anxiety worked that way, nobody would have an anxiety problem.
Stress and anxiety can overlap, but they aren’t exactly the same thing.
Stress generally has an identifiable external cause—a deadline, financial problem, argument, major change, or something else happening in your life—and may ease when the situation is resolved.
Anxiety can continue even without an immediate threat and can involve persistent apprehension or dread that begins interfering with everyday life. Both can affect the body as well as the mind, including tension, headaches or body pain, excessive worry, uneasiness, and trouble sleeping.
SOMETIMES YOUR BRAIN ACTS LIKE EVERYTHING IS AN EMERGENCY
You can know logically that you’re probably okay and still feel like something terrible is about to happen.
That’s one of the frustrating things about anxiety.
Your rational brain can be saying:
“We’re fine.”
While another part is screaming:
“ABSOLUTELY THE FUCK NOT.”
That experience doesn’t make you dramatic.
But it also doesn’t mean you have to surrender control of your life to it.
START WITH WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL
Some strategies NIMH recommends for managing stress and anxiety include maintaining a regular sleep routine, exercising, eating well, avoiding excessive caffeine, challenging unhelpful negative thoughts, and reaching out to supportive friends or family.
And here’s something Bitch Nation believes strongly:
Talking counts.
Tell somebody what’s happening.
You don’t have to make it sound pretty.
Sometimes saying, “My anxiety is kicking my ass today,” is enough to open the door.
KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME FOR MORE SUPPORT
Self-care isn’t a substitute for professional care.
If anxiety isn’t going away, becomes difficult to cope with, or begins interfering with your everyday life, talking with a mental-health professional is a reasonable next step. Psychotherapy and medication are established treatments for anxiety, and treatment should be individualized with an appropriate health professional.
You aren’t admitting defeat by getting help.
You’re adding another weapon to the fight.
YOUR MIND CAN BE LOUD.
But you are more than the loudest thought in your head.
Bad moments pass.
Bad days pass.
And sometimes surviving today is enough.
Keep fucking going.
This article is educational and does not provide a diagnosis or individualized treatment advice.
Bitch Nation Mental Health Hub provides educational and peer-support content and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7 confidential crisis support by call or text at 988; life-threatening emergencies should go to 911/emergency care